Section 7110.102 - Legislative findingsThe General Assembly hereby determines, declares and finds that, since radiation exposure has the potential for causing undesirable health effects, the citizens of the Commonwealth should be protected from unnecessary and harmful exposure resulting from use of radioactive materials, radiation sources, accidents involving nuclear power and radioactive material transportation. It is the purpose of this act to:
(1) Establish and maintain a comprehensive program of radiation protection in the Department of Environmental Resources.(2) Provide for the licensing and regulation in cooperation with the Federal Government, other State agencies and appropriate private entities of radiologic equipment and procedures.(3) Maintain a comprehensive environmental radiation monitoring program around nuclear power plants and at other locations throughout the Commonwealth.(4) Establish a nuclear safety program to make evaluations of all nuclear power plants in the Commonwealth, such evaluations restricted to the specific use of the Secretary of Environmental Resources and his designees authorized by law for the purpose of informing the Governor, the General Assembly and concerned and affected Federal, State and local government organizations. It is not the intent of the act to duplicate or conflict with any aspect of the exclusive Federal regulatory authority applicable to nuclear power plants and licensed plant operators but rather to provide the Commonwealth with requisite, qualified professional nuclear expertise to maintain a competent and continuing awareness of nuclear power plant activities throughout this Commonwealth and to exclusively employ that expertise for the appropriate and authorized needs of the Commonwealth when such activities may have a significant potential for consequences beyond the site of a nuclear power plant. Accordingly, except as expressly and directly stated, none of the provisions of Chapter 3 are applicable to nuclear power plants and licensed plant operators.(5) Maintain a technical emergency radiation response capability within the Department of Environmental Resources, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, to respond to accidents at nuclear power plants or at any other location throughout the Commonwealth.(6) Assume licensing and regulatory responsibility for radioactive materials from the Federal Government. This act shall not authorize the department to license or operate low-level radioactive waste disposal sites.(7) Carry out comprehensive remedial action programs.(8) Establish in the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency a comprehensive radiation emergency response program supported by fees from the nuclear industry.(9) Establish a Radiation Transportation Emergency Response Plan and procedures for notification of spent nuclear fuel shipments, Pennsylvania State Police escort and establishing fees.(11) Provide for notification by nuclear power facility operating licensees of municipalities within the vicinity of nuclear power facilities of unusual radioactivity.1984, July 10, P.L. 688, No. 147, § 102, effective in 15 days.